Windows XP provides support for Internet Protocol (IP) networking over the IEEE 1394 bus. The interface is listed in the Network Connections folder as "1394 Connection". Internet Protocol (IP) over Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE) 1394 does not require a network adapter, but can be connected only to other 1394 interfaces; you cannot directly connect a 1394 cable to an Ethernet hub.

Windows XP requires an OHCI IEEE 1394 interface to enable IP over 1394. When the 1394 interface is installed, Windows XP creates a 1394 Connection in the Network Connections folder. You can modify Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) configuration settings by using the properties for this connection. To create a network by using IP over 1394 support, connect two Windows XP computers with IEEE 1394 ports together with a 1394 cable. While this connection is present, Ipconfig.exe displays the interface as 1394 Connection.

The following files provide IP over 1394 functionality:

Nic1394.sys
This is an NDIS miniport driver that is responsible for fragmentation and reassembly of data and performs input/output (I/O) operations on virtual circuits. A virtual circuit is a connection to a memory address on a 1394 interface. There are three types of virtual circuits: Channel VC (Broadcast), Transmit VC, and Receive VC.